Composite rod machine



May 7, 1963 Filed May 21, 1958 M. O. SCHUR COMPOSITE ROD MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 7, 1963 Filed May 21, 1958 M. O. SCHUR COMPOSITE ROD MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MiLTON O. SCHUR giux JZTJM States atent Orifice 3,088,359 Patented May 7, 1963 3,088,359 COMPOSITE ROD MACHINE Milton 0. Schur, Ashevillc, N.C., assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Filed May 21, 1958, Ser. No. 736,890 10 Claims. (Cl. 83-411) The present invention relates to shufiiing machines and deals in particular with a machine operable to arrange a plurality of different cylindrical segments into axial alignment in accordance with a definite pattern or sequence.

The language axial alignment" is intended to mean an arrangement wherein the cylindrical segments are disposed so that they have a common longitudinal axis.

The invention also relates to a process practiced by the operation of the machine.

In general, the apparatus of the present invention is op erable to handle at least two different classes or types of cylindrical elements. The elements are received in the form of a rod or tube and are cut into segments automatically. Thereafter the segments of each rod are mingled or shufiled in an orderly fashion to develop a line or column of segments so aligned that a segment of one class is disposed next to the segment of another in an alternating manner.

The segments are also arranged so that the longitudinal axis of each falls within the same line.

For purposes of illustrating certain principles of the invention, one may assume that the cylindrical elements handled are two groups of cigarette filter rods (the term rod is intended to include hollow cylinders or tubes) which, for convenience, can be referred to as rods or segments A and B.

At predetermined stations the rods A and B are dropped from separate hoppers upon a pair of constantly rotating conveyors or transfer drums individual to each hopper. The drums are substantially identical and are of the same general construction and operation as those shown and disclosed in a copending application S.N. 704,669, filed by M. O. Schur on December 23, 1957.

The rods are received in transverse grooves or slots formed in the drums and while carried by the drums, the rods are cut into segments; the rods A are cut into substantially equal lengths and the rods B are correspondingly cut into equal lengths. The segments A need not be equal in length to the segments B; in fact, in the present embodiment of the invention the segments B are about one half as long as the segments A.

Thereafter the segments are transferred in groups from their original receiving drums to an adjacent secondary drum in well known fashion.

While in the slots of their respective secondary drums the segments A and the segments B are spaced apart by means including the combined action of several pairs of obliquely mounted friction wheels and a plurality of plowshare-like blades or wedges mounted near the periphery of the drum.

As the segments carried by the secondary drums move into frictional engagement with the wheels, the wheels being to rotate and tend to impart a turning or rotary motion to the segments causing them to tend to turn over in their slots. Because of the oblique mounting of the wheels an axial force component is developed with the result that the segments in contact with the wheels are screwed away or pushed outwardly from the segments which are free of wheels. In eflect, the segments are spread out in their slots.

After a gap is developed between the outer segments and the inner segments of a given slot and upon continued rotation of the secondary drums, the spaced segments en counter the wedges or plowshares which fill the gaps and operate to space the segments further apart, as desired.

The segments A and B project slightly beyond the periphery of the drum and are not fully recessed within their slots so as to allow the friction wheels and the wedges (which are fixed with respect to the drums) to function.

Furthermore, the slots in the drum are sufiiciently long to accommodate the segments when spaced apart and suitable stops or guides are provided to control or limit the distance which the segments are pushed outwardly.

When the segments A have been spaced apart uniformly in their respective slots a distance equal to the length of a segment B and the segments B have been correspondingly spaced apart a distance equal to the length of a segment A, slots carrying spaced segments A and B are brought into register at a given transfer station. At the station the segments B are cast into the gaps between the segments A or vice versa.

Thus, one or the other of the secondary drums (depending upon which segments were transfered) now carries in its slots (those slots which have already passed the transfer station) both segments A and segments B arranged or shufiled into a definite pattern; for example, one segment A is next to a segment B followed by a segment A, etc.

An apparatus embracing certain principles of the in vention may include at least two rod sources, a slotted primary conveyor or primary transfer drum individual to each source operative to receive and carry rods from the respective sources, cutter means for cutting the rods into at least two segments while upon the drum, a secondary conveyor or drum individual to each primary drum, means for transferring the cut rods or segments from the primary conveyor to the secondary conveyor, at least one friction element individual to each secondary conveyor and engageable sequentially with at least one segment of each slot effective to move the segment axially in its slot, means for spacing at least two segments in each slot of a first secondary conveyor at a distance equal to the length of a segment carried by a second secondary conveyor, means for spacing at least two segments in each slot of the second secondary conveyor a distance equal to the length of a segment carried by the first secondary convey-or, and means for casting the spaced segments from one secondary conveyor into registry with the spaced segments of the other secondary conveyor so that the segments and spaces of said one secondary conveyor mate with the segments and spaces of the other.

Correspondingly, a process embracing certain principles of the invention and practiced by the operation of the above apparatus may include the steps of providing a first cylindrical element and a second cylindrical element, cutting the first element into at least two segments, cutting the second element into at least two segments, spacing the segments of the first element from one another in an axial direction a distance equal to at least the length of one segment of said second element, spacing the segments of the second element from one another in an axial direction equal to at least the length of a segment of said first element and moving the segments of the first element relative to the segments of the second element until all segments are disposed in axial alignment and with the space between the segments of the first element occupied by a segment of the second element and the space between the segments of the second element occupied by a segmerit of the first element.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the succeeding specification when read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, drawn schematically, of a machine embracing the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view, somewhat enlarged, of a portion of the showing of FIG. 1 illustrating a friction wheel and a transfer finger;

FIG. 3 is a schematic development showing of the disposition and arrangement of the friction wheels illustrating their cooperation with the plowshare-like wedges and the side guides; and,

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken through a secondary drum or conveyor in the region of a pair of friction wheels.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown a pair of hoppers 10 and 11 filled with cylindrical filter rod elements A and B respectively. Individual to the hoppers are primary transfer drums or conveyors 12 and 13 each formed with transverse grooves or slots 14 and 16 for receiving the rods in sequential fashion as the drums rotate in synchronism and in opposite directions as shown by the arrows. The drums 12 and 13 are undercut circumferentially at spaced intervals to provide clearance for two sets of circular knives 17-17 (only one set shown) operative to cut the rods A into equal segments and to cut the rods B into equal segments.

Segments A may be equal in length to segments B; however, such equality is not necessary.

Appropriate arcuate guards or shoes 19-19 (only one shown) are provided suitably spaced from the periphery of the drums 12 and 13 respectively to retain the cut seg ments in their carrying slots 14 and 16.

Disposed between the primary drums are a pair of secondary drums 22 and 23 driven in the direction shown by the arrows and operating in synchronism with the primary drums and in synchronism with one another. Note that these secondary drums are offset slightly with respect to one another for a reason that will become more apparent hereinafter.

A plurality of fingers 24 and 26, one for each segment A and B respectively, are rigidly mounted with respect to the drums and are operative to peel the segments from the primary drums to transfer the segments to the secondary drums in a manner which is apparent in FIG. 2.

This transfer of segments occurs when a given slot or groove of a primary drum is in register with the primary grooves of an adjacent secondary drum.

The structure and operation of both secondary drums embrace common features, especially those elements there of which function to achieve spacing of the segments A and B.

Thus, the segment spacing function of drum 22 and its associated elements will be described in detail and it is to be distinctly understood that the drum 23 operates in generally the same fashion even while handling segments of a different length from those handled by drum 22.

The secondary drums are each provided with a generally semi-circular cover 27-27 spaced apart from the periphery of the drum but effective to retain the segments in their respective grooves as the drums rotate in the direction shown. The covers 27-27 are similar but of opposite hand.

Each cover is formed with two pairs of diverging slots 28-28 and 29-29 for receiving corresponding pairs of frictional elements in the form of friction wheels 31-31 and 32-32 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Note that FIG. 3 is a plan view, drawn schematically, of the drums 22 and 23. For clarity, the friction wheels of the drum 23 are not shown.

The wheels, covered with a suitable jacket, such as foam rubber, for developing a desirable coefficient of friction with the segments, are operative to engage the segments with a light pressure as they are carried past the wheels.

Note that the wheels are disposed obliquely and rotate upon an axis which forms an acute angle with the axis about which the drums rotate. Although there is a wheel individual to each segment of a given slot. the wheels are disposed in pairs with one pair spaced in- 4 wardly and offset from the other in the direction in which the drums rotate.

As the outer segments 33-33 are brought into contact with the pair of friction wheels 31-31, the wheels begin to rotate and because of the canted position of the wheels, a lateral screw-like motion is imparted to the segments with the result that by the time the slot in which they are riding has advanced to the position indicated by the reference numeral 36, a pair of gaps 37-37 have been opened. As the conveyor drums 12 and 13 continue to rotate. the segments 33-33 are caused to move outwardly by the plowshare-like wedges or ribs 38-38 formed integral with the underside of the fixed cover 27.

Thereafter the segments of a given slot encounter the second pair of friction wheels 32-32 where a similar action occurs in connection with the similar wedge 40. When the segments 33-33 and 39-39 arrive at a position indicated by the reference numeral 41, spacing is being controlled entirely by the wedges 38 and 40.

Side guides or stops 42 and 43 are provided to keep the segments from being pushed too far laterally.

When the segments A have arrived at the position indicated by the reference numeral 44 and the segments 8 have, by similar action, arrived at the position indicated by the reference numeral as, it is clear that the segments A are spaced apart uniformly a distance equal to the length of segments B. correspondingly, it is clear that the segments B are spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the segments A.

Note that if the segments are symmetrically located on drums 12 and 13-, the secondary drums must be offset axially in order to orient the segments B with the gaps between segments A, and vice versa.

By the time the spaced segments A and B arrive at the point indicated by the reference numeral 47 in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is clear that the segments are in condition to be transposed into one single groove and to become axially aligned in said groove.

This is exactly what occurs at the point 47.

Actually, the transfer may be accomplished to either secondary drum; that is, segments A can be transferred over into the spaces between segments 8 or vice versa. In the embodiment of the invention shown and described herein, the segments B are pushed out of their grooves by ejector bars 45 (see FIG. 4) of the same general structure and operation as the ejector bars shown and described in said copending application.

Obviously, when the segments A and B are received in the slot 50 (FIG. 1) they are in shuffled condition and are axially aligned in an orderly arrangement with segments A disposed beside segments B in the fashion shown at 47 in FIG. 3.

As the transfer drum 22 rotates past the transfer point or station, indicated by the reference numeral 47, the shoe 48 retains the shuffled segments in alignment within their slots until ultimately the segments are ejected at station 49 into a receiving element or catcher 51. Thereafter the segments may be packaged as by enveloping the segments in a paper wrapper as .shown and described in said c0- pending application.

Obviously, a wide variety of modifications and variations can be developed utilizing the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A shuffling apparatus comprising at least two primary rotary conveyors each operative to carry a plurality of groups of cylindrical segments, a secondary conveyor individual to each primary conveyor, means for transferring the segments from the primary conveyor to the secondary conveyor, at least one friction element individual to each secondary conveyor and engageable sequentially with at least one segment of. each. group effective to move the segment axially, means for spacing at least two segments of each group of a first secondary conveyor a distance at least equal to the length of a segment carried by a second secondary conveyor, means for spacing at least two segments of each group of the second secondary conveyor a distance at least equal to the length of a segment carried by the first secondary conveyor, and means for casting the spaced segments from one secondary conveyor into registry with the spaced segments of the other secondary conveyor so that the segments and spaces of said one secondary conveyor mate with the segments and spaces of the other.

2. A cigarette filter rod machine comprising a pair of slotted primary drums each operative to receive and carry a plurality of cylindrical segments in said slots, a secondary drum individual to each primary drum, means for transferring said segments from the primary drums to the secondary drums, friction Wheels individual to each secondary drum and engageable sequentially with at least one segment of each slot effective to move the segment axially in its slot, means for spacing at least two segments carried by a first secondary drum at a distance equal to the length of a segment carried by a second secondary drum, means for spacing at least two segments carried by a second secondary drum a distance equal to the length of a segment carried by the first secondary drum, and means for casting the spaced segments from one secondary drum into registry with the spaced segments of the other secondary drum so that the segments and spaces of said one secondary drum mate with the segments and spaces of the other.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein the friction wheels are arranged in pairs and are mounted obliquely with respect to the direction of advance of said segments.

4. The machine of claim 2 wherein the means for spacing the segments comprises a plurality of wedges.

5. The machine of claim 2 wherein the secondary drums are provided with covers having the spacing means formed integral therewith.

6. The machine of claim 2 wherein the friction wheels and the spacing means are constructed and arranged so as to cooperate in sequential fashion to initiate and maintain spacing.

7. A continuous, automatic process for arranging a plurality of generally cylindrical segments into a definite pattern or into a definite sequence in which adjacent segments are of unlike lengths comprising the steps of providing a first group of cylindrical segments each of a first length and a second group of cylindrical segments each of a. second length, spacing the segments of the first group from one another in an axial direction a distance equal to at least the length of one segment of said second group, spacing the segments of the second group from one another in an axial direction equal to at least the length of a segment of said first group and moving the segments of the first group relative to the segments of the second group until all segments are disposed in coaxial alignment and with the space between the segments of the first group occupied by a segment of the second group and the space between the segments of the second group cupied by a segment of the first group.

8. An apparatus for interdigitating cigarette filter rods fabricated of diii'erent materials comprising means for cutting a filter rod of a first construction into a first 5 group of filter segments and means for cutting filter rods of a second construction into a second group of filter segmerits, means for spacing the segments of each group axially to provide spaces between adjacent segments, conveyor means for moving the first group of spaced segments relative to the second group of spaced segments operative to deposit the first group of segments into coaxial alignment with the second group of segments so that the spaced segments of the first and second groups straddle one another.

9. A process for interdigitating or interleaving a plurality of generally cylindrical segments of diiTerent types into coaxial alignment along a single common axis where the segments of a first type are initially disposed in series along a first axis and the segments of the second type are initially disposed in series along a second generally parallel axis comprising the steps of:

(a) spacing the segments of the first type from one another in an axial direction along said first axis a distance equal to at least the length of the longest segment of said second type.

(b) spacing the segments of the second type from one another in an axial direction along said second axis a distance equal to at least the length of the longest segment of said first type.

(0) moving the spaced segments of the first type relative to the spaced segments of the second type while maintaining the parallel relationship of said first and second axes until both types of segments are disposed in said single common axis with the space between adjacent segments of the first type occupied by a segment of the second type and the space between adjacent segments of the second type occupied by a segment of the first type to provide a single row of segments of both types arranged alternately and coaxially along said common axis.

10. A method of producing composite filter rods for cigarettes in which the filter rods are composed of at least two different materials comprising the steps of subdividing a first filter rod of one material into at least two lengths, subdividing a second filter rod of other material into at least two lengths, spacing the first subdivided lengths apart at least a distance equal to the length of the second subdivided lengths, spacing the second subdivided lengths apart a distance at least equal to the first subdivided lengths, inserting said lengths of said first material between the said lengths of said other material to produce said composite rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,824,414 Stein Sept. 22, 1931 2,005,589 McCoy June 18, 1935 2,010,486 Herrmann Aug. 6, 1935 2,209,209 Ruby July 23, 1940 2,219,755 Skold Oct. 29, 1940 2,393,845 Wagner et a1 Jan. 29, 1946 2,860,762 Alexander Nov. 18, 1958 2,882,970 Schur Apr. 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 398,422 Great Britain Sept. 14, 1933 

1. A SHUFFLING APPARATUS COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO PRIMARY ROTARY CONVEYORS EACH OPERATIVE TO CARRY A PLURALITY OF GROUPS OF CYLINDRICAL SEGMENTS, A SECONDARY CONVEYOR INDIVIDUAL TO EACH PRIMARY CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING THE SEGMENTS FROM THE PRIMARY CONVEYOR TO THE SECONDARY CONVEYOR, AT LEAST ONE FRICTION ELEMENT INDIVIDUAL TO EACH SECONDARY CONVEYOR AND ENGAGEABLE SEQUENTIALLY WITH AT LEAST ONE SEGMENT OF EACH GROUP EFFECTIVE TO MOVE THE SEGMENT AXIALLY, MEANS FOR SPACING AT LEAST TWO SEGMENTS OF EACH GROUP OF A FIRST SECONDARY CONVEYOR A DISTANCE AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF A SEGMENT CARRIED BY A SECONDARY CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR SPACING AT LEAST TWO SEGMENTS OF EACH GROUP OF THE SECOND SECONDARY CONVEYOR A DISTANCE AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF A SEGMENT CARRIED BY THE FIRST SECONDARY CONVEYOR, AND MEANS FOR CASTING THE SPACED SEGMENTS FROM ONE SECONDARY CONVEYOR INTO REGISTRY WITH THE SPACED SEGMENTS OF THE OTHER SECONDARY CONVEYOR SO THAT THE SEGMENTS AND SPACES OF SAID ONE SECONDARY CONVEYOR MATE WITH THE SEGMENTS AND SPACES OF THE OTHER. 